Homemade Chestnut Cream Spread with Vanilla and Lemon Zest

Chestnut Cream Recipe
Category: Desserts
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

Chestnut cream is a delightful, creamy treat that showcases the natural sweetness and richness of chestnuts. This recipe will guide you through the steps of making a velvety smooth chestnut spread perfect for spreading on toast or as a filling for desserts.

1. Prepare the Chestnuts:
   Begin by rinsing the chestnuts thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Once clean, place the chestnuts in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring the pot to a boil and let the chestnuts cook for approximately 15 minutes. This will help soften them, making the next step easier.

2. Peel the Chestnuts:
   After boiling, transfer the chestnuts to a food mill (or use a potato masher if you don’t have one) and pass them through to remove the outer shell and extract the soft inner flesh. This will yield a smooth chestnut purée.

3. Prepare the Sugar Syrup:
   In a separate, tall-sided saucepan, add the vanilla pod along with its seeds, and pour in the sugar. Add the water and place the pan over medium heat. Stir with a whisk to help dissolve the sugar evenly. Continue heating for about 10 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved into the water.

4. Infuse the Syrup:
   Once the sugar is dissolved, carefully remove the vanilla pod using kitchen tongs. To add a burst of citrus flavor, grate the zest of one untreated lemon and stir it into the syrup. The zest will infuse the syrup with a refreshing, tangy note.

5. Cook the Chestnut Mixture:
   Add the chestnut purée to the saucepan with the syrup and bring it to a gentle simmer. Cook the mixture over low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. The goal is to cook the chestnut purée until it thickens and becomes a creamy consistency. This step ensures that the flavors meld together and the mixture achieves a velvety smooth texture.

6. Cool and Store:
   Once the chestnut cream reaches a thick, spreadable consistency, remove it from the heat. Allow the cream to cool slightly before transferring it into sterilized jars using a spoon. The cream can be stored in the refrigerator and will last for up to a week.

This chestnut cream is perfect as a spread for bread, as a filling for cakes, or even enjoyed on its own as a comforting dessert. Its natural sweetness, enriched with the deep flavor of vanilla and the citrusy kick of lemon zest, makes it an irresistible treat for any occasion. Enjoy the satisfying process of making this delicious homemade dessert!

Nutritional Information (per serving):

This chestnut cream is an indulgent yet simple dessert that makes use of chestnuts’ natural sweetness, bringing out their best qualities. Its smooth, spreadable texture is perfect for those who enjoy rich, velvety spreads with a hint of vanilla and lemon zest. You can serve this chestnut cream as a topping for pancakes, as a cake filling, or simply paired with a cup of coffee for a cozy, comforting treat.